The meaning and origin of the expression: What a piece of work is man

What a piece of work is man

Meaning

Man is a supreme creature.

Origin

From Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1602:

What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how
express and admirable! in action how like an angel!
in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the
world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,
what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not
me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling
you seem to say so.

More recently, in the 20th century, the phrase 'a real piece of work' has been coined to mean 'a really bad person, lacking morality and scruples'. This goes further than Shakespeare's usage which, while appearing to glorify man, is ironic in suggesting that man is very far from a masterpiece.